Party switchers in 2003 [Mississippi]

The Neshoba Democrat ^ | 1/2/2003 | Bill Minor

[JohnnyZ]

JACKSON—Party-switching in the Legislature, rumored in the works since Democratic Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck’s conversion a month ago but put on hold by Trent Lott’s fall from grace, is apparently about to crank off as lawmakers come to town next Tuesday for their 2003 session.

Reports were that that at least two Democratic senators, and possibly four House members, will jump to the GOP. Supposedly, say Republican insiders, conversions will be spread out over a few days rather than all at once.

Two Senators thought most likely to switch were Travis Little of Corinth, the Senate President Pro-tem and Tuck’s closest ally, and Terry Burton of Newton, another Tuck supporter, who has more often been voting with Senate Republicans than Democrats.

Burton became the first to jump to the GOP two days before year’s end, after apparently putting it off while Trent Lott’s meltdown had the spotlight. Burton had been elected for three terms as a Democrat in his East-Mississippi district.

Little, considered to be Tuck’s alter-ego—many would say her puppeteer—comes out of an old line Alcorn County Democratic political family once closely tied to the organization bossed by legendary U.S. Sen. Jim Eastland.

Little’s conversion, which some of his state Senate colleagues say won’t happen, had been thought a given because of his closeness to Tuck.

However, as one fellow Senator observed: “It wouldn’t really make much difference if he puts an “R” or a “D” behind his name, because on his watch the Senate already has been pretty much a pro-GOP body anyway.”

On the House side, all-but-certain is the switch of Democratic state Rep. Jim Barnett of Brookhaven, who has been in the Democratic doghouse for a couple of years over the brouhaha when he backed his fellow townsman, Republican Mike Parker, rather than Democrat Ronnie Musgrove in the 1999 governor’s race.

Among other possible House switchers is Rep. Herb Frierson of Poplarville, whose South Mississippi base has become so Republican that several other local Democratic officials have already gone over to the GOP.

Veteran Carroll County Rep. Mary Ann Stevens, for years one of the most conservative members of the House, and long considered a possible switcher could easily change her party label from Democrat to Republican. Observers say she could be re-elected with either party designation.

State GOP chairman Jim Herring, who had a lot to do with orchestrating the Tuck conversion, has been busy lining up strong Republican legislative candidates all around the state.

It’s pretty certain, however, that even if the eight or 10 lawmakers said to be in the switching mode do in fact change parties, there’s no danger that Republicans, now with 18 seats in the state Senate and 32 in the House, will wind up with a majority in either branch.

One other major unknown is how the new legislative districts drawn by lawmakers as a result of the 2000 census will play, as far as favoring either party’s prospects. Ten years ago, as it later became evident, the legislative redistricting plan helped Republicans make significant gains, upping their numbers in both branches by a third.

When House Speaker Tim Ford announced two weeks ago he was stepping down from his post and leaving the Legislature, he observed that there will likely be 40 new faces in the next Mississippi House, either as a the result of already-known vacancies or possible incumbent defeats in 2003 elections.

.....

Bill Minor of Jackson is a longtime observer of state politics.

[JohnnyZ]

Looks like at least one more party switcher in the state senate, plus two or more House members.

Oh, please hold off on the "Democrats who become Republicans are evil" comments, at least without some sort of evidence that the switchers in question are less conservative than, say, National Review. Thanks :)

[Semper Paratus]

Some fall out from the Lott pile-on.

[CPT Clay]

I didn't quite get if the 18 senators and 32 in the House are majorities.

[JohnnyZ]

Oh, I was going to comment on that. The '18' number Minor is quoting is as of the last election -- since then there have been two switchers and one special election for the GOP, bringing our minority to 21 seats -- we're down 31-21. The House is a different story: we're down 86-33-3 at last count, which means there are more black Democrats (35) than Republicans.

[CPT Clay]

More black democrats than republicans...Wow

[No Dems 2004]

I agree. Conservative Democrats who become Republicans should not at all be criticised. They're doing what they're doing for conscience sake, or at least some of them are. The sooner more of the Southern legislatures become GOP-controlled the better. The Mississippi state senate is already within striking distance. Don't forget how party-switching in Georgia gave the GOP the state senate there.

[JohnnyZ]

Another Democrat switched to the GOP today (2-9-03):

"State Rep. Frank Hamilton, a Democrat since first winning election from his Jackson County district in 1992, has filed to run for re-election as a Republican, state GOP Executive Director Kim Gallaspy said Wednesday."

From The Sun Herald

We're up to 35 in the House now, but still outnumbered over 2-1. Hamilton is the third Rat to jump ship since Lt Gov Amy Tuck switched parties; several other are rumored to be switching too (see first article).

[No Dems 2004]

Great news! What's the margin in the state senate?

[JohnnyZ]

It's 31-21 in the state senate; hopefully I can comb through all the stuff at MagnoliaReport.com and get a read on whether we'll be able to take over the senate in the 2003 elections. You've also gotta figure Sen. Little will switch at some point; as the article states, he's a close ally of Amy Tuck.

[No Dems 2004]

"You've also gotta figure Sen. Little will switch at some point; as the article states, he's a close ally of Amy Tuck."

You're right. There's no mistaking which way this state is going, and national Democrats are probably only going to make it worse for themselves when they try to kill Judge Pickering for a second time. The state of Mississippi is going the way of the rest of the south: away from the Democrats.

Thanks for keeping me posted. PLEASE let me know if you hear of any other switchers. The more the merrier!